FSB business banking

An account for businesses who are members of the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB).

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FSB business banking account

Account highlights

This account has been made with small businesses in mind. Members of the FSB can enjoy the benefits of this account including free everyday banking and no arrangement fees on overdrafts.

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Free

Free everyday banking

Cash limits apply.

Switching

Our Current Account Switch service makes switching fast and free.

Switch your bank account to us

Key information

Our FSB Account benefits from:

  • Free software integration

    Integrate your accountancy software like Xero, Sage or Quickbooks within your online banking

  • Free payment request app

    Go Get Paid, the free, simple and secure app to help you get paid on time

  • Free support tools

    Start up guides, articles on the Business Exchange, free webinars and fraud education

  • UK-based help and support

    Specialist business advisers on the phone and The Co-operative Bank Business Help app

  • Business services

    Partnership service offerings include sustainability tools, merchant services, HR tools and tech support

  • A choice of ways to bank

    Online and in-person banking including mobile, instant secure messaging, telephone and in-branch

Ready to apply?

Check your eligibility and apply.

Tariff and fees

Our FSB business banking account has no monthly service fee. You get £1,000 free cash deposits per charging period, switching to 80p per £100 once the monthly limit is reached.

You can read the full tariff of fees and charges in the FSB Tariff PDF.

Free Banking

Cash deposit limits apply

For FSB members

This account is only available to businesses who are members of the FSB.

  • Savings

    You can apply for one of our savings accounts during your application for this bank account.

    View our savings accounts

  • Overdrafts

    During your account application, you can also apply for an arranged overdraft for cash flow and short term borrowing.

    More about our overdrafts

How to apply

Please note: Your application is subject to status. This means we’ll assess your financial circumstances and complete credit checks.

If you’ve already started an application you can continue it here.

Before you apply

Please read this important information and documents before you apply.

To be eligible for the FSB account you and key individuals must be:

  • 18 or over
  • A UK resident with a business address in the UK
  • Free from county court judgements (CCJs), bankruptcy and individual voluntary arrangements (IVAs) over the last six years
  • Free from missed payments on any personal credit obligations in the last six months

You or your organisation must be a member of the Federation of Small Businesses, and either a:

  • Sole trader or partnership
  • Limited liability partnership
  • Limited company

If your organisation is a limited company, the following must be true:

  • The director has never been disqualified
  • The business has never been subject to insolvency or an intention to dissolve
  • The business has not had a negative net worth in the last set of financial accounts

Your application is subject to status. This means we’ll assess your financial circumstances and complete credit checks.

Not eligible for this account?

You may be eligible for one of our other accounts.

See other accounts

To apply for the FSB account, you'll need:

  • a valid FSB membership number
  • your business details, including tax information, expected turnovers, existing business current account details (if applicable), funds received by your business, and your Companies House registration number
  • a form of identification, such as your passport or driving license
  • a device (such as a phone with a camera) to take and upload a photo of yourself so we can verify your identity during the application process
  • details of shareholders and other authorised account users
  • change giving requirements (if you’re requesting change giving facilities).

As a provider of UK business bank accounts, we have agreed to a basic set of information we’ll need from you to set up your UK business current account.

Find out what you’ll need to provide using the business banking checklist from UK Finance.

View UK Finance’s guide to opening a business account

    Read the following important documents and save copies for your future reference.

    Business account Terms and Conditions PDF

    FSB account Tariff PDF

    Standards of Lending Practice PDF

    How we use your personal information PDF

    FSCS Information Sheet and Exclusions List PDF

    Current Account Switch Agreement PDF

    To view information on charging periods and pre-notification dates please visit our account charging page.

    Criminals recruit people to help them hide their criminal profits

    Never open a bank account in either your name/business name for someone else to use, or agree to move money through your account for someone else – even if they offer you money in return. If you do this, you could be committing a crime with serious consequences.

    Learn more

    Apply

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    Application timeline

    • Less than 45 minutes

      Apply online

      On average completing the application takes less than 45 minutes. You can also save it to complete later.

    • Within 5 business days

      Get a decision

      We aim to give decisions within five business days. If approved, your account details will be ready at the same time.

    • Within 10 business days

      Set up

      You will receive your online login information and security token details within seven to ten business days of application approval.

    Continue a business account application

    Continue a Sole Trader or single director application

    Continue an application

    Continue with a Partnerships, Limited Companies and Limited Liability Partnerships application

    Continue an application

    Already have a business current account somewhere else?

    Our Current Account Switch Service makes switching your account simple, fast and free.

    Learn how to switch your business account to us.

    Current Account Switch Guarantee logo

    Not found what you were looking for?

    Business Directplus

    For those who want a choice of how they bank

    Suitable for businesses of all sizes

    Free for 30 months, then £7 per month thereafter

    Banking limits and minimum balance apply

      • Pay in cheques and cash for free

      • Online and in-person banking options

      Business Current Account

      For those who prefer to bank online

      Only for Sole Traders, Single Directors or Shareholders; from start-ups to established businesses

      No monthly service fee

      Charges apply for cash, cheque and other special services

      • Free automated debits and credits, debit card purchases, ATM withdrawals and manual credits

      • Online and in-person banking options

      Community Directplus

      For registered charities, co-operatives, credit unions and community-interest companies

      Free everyday banking that can help change the world

      No monthly service fee

      • Free everyday banking

      • Eligible to apply for grants from the customer donation fund

      Financial Services Compensation Scheme

      Your eligible deposits held by a UK establishment of The Co-operative Bank plc are protected up to a total of £85,000 by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme, the UK's deposit guarantee scheme. This limit is applied to the total of any deposits you have with the following: The Co-operative Bank, Britannia and smile. Any total deposits you hold above the limit between these brands are unlikely to be covered.

      Please read further information on the FSCS scheme here or visit their website.